Lightning’s Opening Night momentum fizzles in 5–4 loss to Ottawa
Posted October 11, 2025
The Lightning’s home opener started out just the way you’d expect. Thunder Alley was buzzing, a sold out crowd of over 19,000 fans packed the arena, rookie Curtis Douglas took his solo lap, and there was a fight less than three minutes in.
Douglas, acquired just Monday, only needed nine seconds to drop the gloves and take down Ottawa’s Kurtis MacDermid. The rookie raised his arms to the crowd, tossed his helmet to the ice, and skated to the penalty box to a roar of approval from the packed out arena.
Riding the early momentum, the Lightning’s power play struck twice in the first period, with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Nikita Kucherov giving Tampa Bay a 3–1 lead. The team spent much of training camp fine-tuning on special teams, and Bjorkstrand was the key addition they hoped would bring the power play together. On Thursday, it seemed to pay off early on.
The second period told a different story, with the momentum swinging in Ottawa’s favor. Just 42 seconds in, the Senators scored when a shot hit the post and went past Andrei Vasilevskiy to make it 3–2. Ottawa continued to press the Lightning, and late in the period Shane Pinto converted on a breakaway to tie the game at 3–3.
"It's hard not to be disappointed, right? You're up a 3-1 lead, and you let it slip away and let a team hang around and get back in it,” said veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
With 1:47 remaining, Pinto struck again to give Ottawa the lead. An empty-netter sealed it, handing the Lightning a loss on Opening Night.
“You leave it up to chance or one mistake, and we got caught making one too many tonight and gave them too many looks in the end," McDonagh continued. "And we should win a lot of games when we score four goals, and for us to give up that many, that's not a recipe for us. So (we’ve) definitely got to clean some things up."
The Lightning reverted back to some of the same habits that have hurt them in the past.
“They skated, and as that game went on.. we stopped,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said of his team. "In a game where it looked like, two teams were heading to get a point and see what happens in overtime.. They pushed at the end, and we didn't.”
The Lightning will face the New Jersey Devils on Saturday at Benchmark International Arena.
Potential Lines
Tampa Bay Lightning
Forwards:
Jake Guentzel
Brayden Point
Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel
Anthony Cirelli
Gage Goncalves
Oliver Bjorkstrand
Yanni Gourde
Mitchell Chaffee
Conor Geekie
Pontus Holmberg
Jack FInley
Defense:
Victor Hedman
Darren Raddysh
Ryan McDonagh
Erik Cernak
Emil Lilleberg
Max Crozier
Goaltenders:
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Jonas Johansson
New Jersey Devils
Forwards:
Evgenii Dadonov
Jack Hughes
Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier
Nico Hischier
Dawson Mercer
Ondrej Palat
Cody Glass
Connor Brown
Paul Cotter
Luke Glendening
Arseny Gritsyuk
Defense:
Jonas Sieganhaler
Dougie Hamilton
Luke Hughes
Brett Pesce
Brenden Dillon
Simon Nemec
Goaltenders:
Jacob Markstrom
Jake Allen
BREAKING NEWS: Pittsburgh Steelers’ Cameron Heyward Stuns Passengers with Heartwarming Act on Flight, Leaves Everyone Speechless
The sports world is in awe after Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward made an unexpected and incredibly touching gesture during a recent commercial flight. Known for his dominance on the football field, Heyward has now proven that his leadership extends far beyond his role as a player, showcasing his character with an act of kindness that has deeply moved those around him.
As the plane prepared for takeoff, Heyward, who had been seated in first class, noticed an elderly woman in the economy section struggling with her carry-on bag. Without hesitation, Heyward stood up and made his way to help her, offering to assist with her luggage and guiding her to a more comfortable seat. But what followed next truly set this moment apart.
After ensuring the woman was settled, Heyward noticed her discomfort as she looked out the window, worried about flying. Instead of returning to his seat, he took the time to sit next to her and began chatting with her, listening to her life stories and offering words of encouragement. “He didn’t just help with the bags. He took the time to make her feel comfortable,” a nearby passenger recalled. “It was like he made sure she felt seen and heard. He didn’t just see her as an elderly passenger, but as a person.”
Heyward’s kindness didn’t stop there. Before the flight took off, he quietly returned to his seat but left behind a note for the woman that read: “You’re stronger than you know. Enjoy the flight, and know that the world is a better place because of you.” He also included his signed Steelers jersey as a gift. The woman, who had been struggling with anxiety, was left in tears, overwhelmed by the gesture. “It wasn’t just about the jersey,” she said. “It was about the kindness, the time he took to talk to me. That’s what I’ll always remember.”
Flight attendants who witnessed the exchange were equally moved, with one commenting, “We see a lot of celebrities, but it’s rare to see someone like Cameron Heyward go above and beyond without seeking anything in return. It was truly humbling.”
The story of Heyward’s compassion quickly went viral on social media, with fans and even rival team supporters praising his actions. “Cameron Heyward is an incredible athlete, but after today, he’s also an incredible human being. This is why we need more athletes like him,” one fan tweeted.
As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue their 2025 season, Heyward has proven that leadership and greatness go far beyond what happens on the field. His actions remind us all that kindness, empathy, and humility are qualities that define a true leader, and they have the power to change someone’s day — or even their life.
